Capital Region Salsa reaches Pine Hills and beyond

March 20, 2011

by Derek Gibbons

Dana Henson, a 27-year-old resident of the Pine Hills neighborhood and mentor at Empire State College, has been helping out with the Capital Region Salsa Social in Troy, New York for three years now and is one of 11 committee members for the social.

“Salsa is a positive way for people to get to know each other and become comfortable with one another,” Henson said Saturday night.

Henson grew up in a community in Boston and connected with the Latin influence there. When she moved to Albany, and the Pine Hills neighborhood, she wanted that same connection and she used salsa to make it.

With the help of Henson and her committee, the Salsa Social drew 150 people to its last social, a big leap since it first started in August 2007 with only 15 or 20 people.

More than 50 people attended Saturday night’s one hour workshop of New York style salsa taught by Junior Ryes of Mas Salsa Que Tu of Middletown before the main event. What followed was four full hours of salsa, bachata and other Latin dances.

The group also likes to celebrate its loyal dancers by announcing birthdays and encouraging participants to have a birthday dance. Everyone takes part in celebrating the salsa social tradition by circling the birthday celebrant and taking turns dancing with the honoree.

Lana Ortiz, now the head organizer for group and owner and dance instructor at the Albany Salsa Dance Studio believes salsa is for everyone and is not limited to only people of a Latin background.

“Salsa has become a great common thing among people of all nationalities, countries, backgrounds, something that unites people and eases them to any society they may find themselves,” said Ortiz.”It is something that you can learn to do from the time you are a child to the time you are a senior citizen.”

Ortiz also said the international dance doesn’t require any equipment, just the desire to dance.

Attending the salsa socials and taking lessons has helped one local software development manager to meet new people.

“I am an immigrant to the United States myself and making friends has been tough,” said Gary Jones, who moved to the region from Solihull, England. ” This is the most wonderful bunch of people and they are my new family and that is why I keep coming back.”

Much like the Salsa Social, many other types of dance were offered in the past history of Albany like this advertisement for dance on March 4, 1936 in the Times Union.

The local Salsa Social was not always a success and struggled to gain popularity in its early stages. Anwar Dunbar, who was the original creator of the group, received help from Ortiz in recruiting people. Ortiz emailed, spread the word through the community, and also announced events at her classes at Albany Salsa. After advertising, the group grew to 50 people.

Ortiz is now the primary organizer and gets assistance from the volunteer social committee, all of whom have varied backgrounds in salsa and dance. Money raised at the socials goes back into the social to bring in guest instructors, DJ’s, pay for fees at the Troy Masonic Hall, and other expenses that come along with each social.

Saturday night’s perks also included a free massage, pizza, raffles, and a cash bar. Experience levels range from beginners to advanced and all ages are welcome from children to senior citizens.

All types of dance, like the salsa social, have always been offered in the Albany area. In an advertisement from the Times Union from Wednesday March 4, 1936, the De Witt Clinton offered new dancing with New York entertainment every afternoon from 4-7 where you could dance, drink, and have a good time.

The next social will be held Saturday, April 23 at the Troy Masonic Hall in Troy, NY. There is a $10 entrance fee. For more information on the event, visit either their Facebook page or website at www.salsasocialny.com. -30-